Japanese video game publisher Bandai Namco has reportedly halted development on multiple high-profile projects, including games based on the popular anime franchises ‘One Piece‘ and ‘Naruto‘. This decision comes as part of a larger restructuring effort within the company, which has also resulted in significant workforce reductions.
Project Cancellations
Bandai Namco has canceled "ONE PIECE" and "NARUTO" games which were in development.
They also have started laying off their employees. pic.twitter.com/NzQY1bB7ao
— Anime News And Facts (@AniNewsAndFacts) October 16, 2024
According to reports from Bloomberg, Bandai Namco has cancelled or paused development on several unannounced titles. The affected projects include:
- An unspecified ‘One Piece’ game
- An unspecified ‘Naruto’ game
- A contract project with Nintendo
The company cited “lacklustre demand” as the primary reason for these cancellations. This move has surprised many in the industry, especially considering the recent success of Bandai Namco’s ‘Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero’, which sold over three million copies within 24 hours of its release.
Workforce Reduction
In addition to the project cancellations, Bandai Namco is reportedly downsizing its workforce. The company has been accused of using a controversial Japanese practice known as “oidashi beya” or “expulsion rooms” to pressure employees into voluntary resignation. This practice involves placing workers in rooms where they are given no tasks, effectively encouraging them to quit.Approximately 200 of Bandai Namco’s 1,300 employees have allegedly been placed in these expulsion rooms, with around 100 already having resigned. However, Bandai Namco has denied the use of such practices, stating:
“There is no organization like an ‘oidashi beya’ at Bandai Namco Studios designed to pressure people to leave voluntarily”.
Company Response
In response to the reports, a Bandai Namco representative told Bloomberg:
“Our decisions to discontinue games are based on comprehensive assessments of the situation. Some employees may need to wait a certain amount of time before they are assigned their next project, but we do move forward with assignments as new projects emerge”.
Industry Impact
This news comes at a time when the gaming industry is facing various challenges, including high inflation-driven costs and pressure to maintain growth. Bandai Namco’s decision to cancel high-profile projects and reduce its workforce reflects these broader industry trends.Despite these setbacks, Bandai Namco continues to see success with some of its titles. The recent release of ‘Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero’ has performed exceptionally well, topping both PlayStation and Steam charts. The company is also looking forward to the release of other anticipated games, such as the ‘Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree’ expansion.As the situation develops, fans of ‘One Piece‘ and ‘Naruto’ will undoubtedly be disappointed by the cancellation of these projects. However, it remains to be seen how Bandai Namco’s restructuring efforts will impact its long-term strategy and future game releases.
Source: Bloomberg
